The water level at the Sanford Underground Laboratory at Homestake had its first significant drop in several weeks, reaching 5,044 feet underground Monday, or about 16 feet lower than last week and 514 feet lower than the high-water mark, reached last year.

The water level had been maintained between 5,020 and 5,030 feet underground while crews prepared to install new pumping stations on the 5,000-foot level. That preparation continues, and the pumps will be installed in January, according to a news release from the Sanford Lab.